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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider AFP urges rebels to stop attacks, work with gov't amid virus pandemic

AFP urges rebels to stop attacks, work with gov't amid virus pandemic

Published Mar 17, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin Sadongdong
Setting aside their combative stance, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday encouraged the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), to stop attacking troops and instead cooperate with the government's efforts to defeat an unseen enemy that is the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Maj. Gen. Felimon T. Santos, AFP EastMinCom Commander (AFP EastMinCom / MANILA BULLETIN) AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr.
(AFP EastMinCom / MANILA BULLETIN)
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., issued the appeal after President Duterte asked the communist groups for a ceasefire as soldiers are focused on helping the police man checkpoints across Luzon.
"The pronouncement of the President manifests his yearning for the safety and well-being of our countrymen in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic," Santos said.
"He desires that in this trying time, everyone, including the enemies of the state, work to ensure an unimpeded delivery of government services to our people distraught by uncertainty due to this worldwide affliction."
The top military official called on everybody to do their part "with the commitment and dedication like soldiers" to combat the dreaded disease.
In a public address on Monday night, Duterte placed the entire island of Luzon under "enhanced community quarantine" due to the rising number of cases of COVID-19 infection.
Under an enhanced community quarantine, strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households while transportation is suspended.
The provision of food and essential health services shall be regulated, and the heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.
"Ang problema, hindi sa lahat nag... hindi lahat nagmamahal ng gobyerno natin ito. Kayo bang mga NPA, nagmamahal kayo sa gobyerno? Kapag hindi... tumulong kayo. Distancing at huwag na niyo muna galawin ang mga sundalo. Ano muna tayo, ceasefire lang (The problem is not everybody loves this government. You, NPAs, do you love the government? If not... you should just help. Practice distancing and do not attack the soldiers. Let's have a ceasefire)," Duterte said.
About 3,000 soldiers were initially deployed to help the Philippine National Police man the checkpoints in Metro Manila to restrict the movement of people in and out of the capital region in a bid to slow down the spread of the disease.
More soldiers are expected to be fielded as checkpoints may be expanded throughout Luzon.
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